Agenzia Nova | 31 March 2025Congo: Framework agreement signed to launch sustainable agricultural development project
BF International Best Fields Best Food Limited (Bfi) – a high-tech company that is part of BF Spa, the most important Italian agro-industrial group – and the Government of the Republic of Congo have signed a framework agreement (MoU) to launch a sustainable agricultural development project in the African country with the aim of responding to the need to increase the country's food security. The agreement, Bfi reports in a note, was signed by the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries of the Republic of Congo, Paul Valentin Ngobo, from the CEO of Bfi, Federico Vecchioni, and by the administrator of Bfi in Congo Brazzaville, John Mazzotti, in the presence of the Italian Ambassador to the Republic of Congo, Henry Nunziata. The project is part of the Italian initiative of international cooperation in equal public-private partnership in the framework of the Mattei Plan for Africa, and in particular in the Action for the strengthening of agro-food ecosystems in Africa (Area) – co-financed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI), with Ciheam Bari as knowledge partner and executing body of the public component, and by Bfi as private part.
In the context of this broader strategic project and in the spirit of fruitful collaboration with the institutions of our country, the initiative proposed by Bfi aims to strengthen the agro-food supply chains of the African partner countries - in this case by expanding and strengthening the relationship with the Republic of Congo, Italy's historic interlocutor - to reduce their degree of dependence on foreign countries in terms of food through the creation of a model farm, an example of the best agricultural practices, sustainable management, technological innovation and transfer of know-how. On the basis of what was agreed in the talks between the highest political institutions on the development priorities for the Republic of Congo, the framework agreement provides for the creation of an agro-industrial project on a surface of 10 thousand hectares in the Dolisie area, specifically in Malolo. Within this context, Bfi, thanks to the know-how of the network of companies of the Bf Group, aims to promote agricultural, economic and social growth in the countries in which it operates, through alliances with institutional and industrial partners and synergies with local governments to promote technological innovation and sustainability in the agro-industrial sector.
A factor of great importance is the approach and the method of intervention: the identified lands, in fact, are offered in concession for multi-year use by the competent authorities, in compliance with local regulations. This global and non-predatory approach, introduced by Bfi in line with the Mattei Plan, guarantees that both land ownership and agricultural production remain available to the countries themselves, improving their food security and well-being. "The agreement with the Republic of Congo represents an important opportunity to develop modern and sustainable agriculture in the country: our goal is to build an efficient production system, capable of contributing to the food self-sufficiency of local communities, in the broader framework of international development cooperation launched by the Italian government. Through this project, we intend to introduce advanced technologies, strengthen training and scientific research with specific projects and investments and create stable job opportunities, offering a concrete contribution to the development of the territory. The initiative embodies our vision of innovative, inclusive and sustainable agriculture, in line with the experiences already started in other areas of Africa to replicate the successful experience of the BF Group on a global scale, through a logic of collaboration and partnership, far from predatory approaches that are completely foreign to us in terms of culture, strategies and practices", said Federico Vecchioni, CEO of Bfi.
"Food security and sovereignty are central themes in Italy's foreign policy, particularly in Africa. In the framework of the Mattei Plan, this initiative fully embodies the principles of our new approach to the African continent, through a public-private partnership and equal collaboration with the partner country. We are very pleased to be able to systematize the best knowledge and skills of our country's excellences, in order to increase the level of food sovereignty in the Republic of Congo thanks to sustainable and innovative agriculture, focusing on training and generating value for local communities. We can only say that we are proud of the fact that a piece of Italian know-how will significantly contribute to the growth of the country, our partner and friend", said Enrico Nunziata, Italian Ambassador to the Republic of Congo. The initiatives in the agronomic field will be supported by interventions for infrastructure, such as the construction of a water network to supply drinking water to the communities of reference, and basic and specialized training programs on site and in Italy to develop skills in the management of advanced cropping systems, promoting socioeconomic benefits, with a particular focus on the inclusion of young people and women. The training, based on the knowledge of the Italian agri-food sector, will concern agronomic management, production and conservation techniques, managerial and technological issues and will be provided with the support of Ciheam Bari and Italian partners in the agri-food supply chain.
Thanks to the Mattei Plan and the Italian cooperation system, which aims to give value to the synergies and complementarities of the Italian and Congolese public-private systems, the project in the Republic of Congo intends to promote agricultural and livestock development for the food sovereignty of the country with the introduction of modern technologies, with a view to sustainability and resilience to climate change, involving small farmers and stimulating local entrepreneurship. Among the planned activities, the creation of a model farm, an innovative, sustainable and inclusive agro-industrial farm model that adapts to the needs of each country and community. The model farm, in fact, combines a cutting-edge agricultural platform and an integrated ecosystem, created to support and improve the quality of life of workers and families, promoting regenerative and sustainable agriculture. The lands, in concession according to local laws, are intended for the cultivation of rice, soy, corn, peanuts for the domestic market of the country.
